The hearing on the state’s appeal against former Fisheries Minister Kalaveti Ravu and the ministry’s Northern regional manager Tekata Toaisi commenced this morning.
The appeal was heard before Justice Daniel Goundar at the High Court in Suva.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has been handling the case since it was transferred from the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) last month.
FICAC had initially accused Mr Ravu of interfering in a ministerial investigation into the suspected illegal trade of a banned beche-de-mer species. Mr Toaisi was accused of aiding the former minister between July and August 2024.
Both men were acquitted on February 28 this year at the no-case-to-answer stage, presided over by Magistrate Jeremaia Savou.
Prosecution was led by the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Nancy Tikoisuva.
Lawyer Tevita Vakalalabure represents the former minister while Lawyer Joji Cakau represents Mr Toaisi.
Justice Goundar will issue his ruling on August 25.
